Elliott’s victory was Hendrick Motorsports’ 20th at Dover

By Brandon James

DOVER, Del. – In winning his second career NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Dover International Speedway and clinching a spot in the Round of 8, Chase Elliott captured Hendrick Motorsports’ 20th victory at the “Monster Mile.”

The organization’s 20 wins at the track are the most all-time, and Dover became the second track where Hendrick Motorsports has won at least 20 times.

The organization has also accomplished the feat at Martinsville Speedway, where its 24 wins are the most all-time by any team at any track.

“Just perseverance and some good adjustments throughout the day,” Elliott said of how the No. 9 team captured the win. “Just a great effort.”

Over the years, Elliott has put together a solid resume at the “Monster Mile.”

In his six Cup Series starts at Dover, he’s finished inside the top five in five of them, which includes a runner-up finish and now a win. The trip to Victory Lane also marked his first career Cup Series win on an oval track.

“Just a good car,” Elliott said. “We made some really good adjustments there as the race went along. I felt like the beginning of that first run by the end of that first stage I thought we had fallen off some. Actually, when we fell back as we were making our way back through the field I thought that we made some adjustments that really were the difference-maker in being able to pass some more guys. Just an incredible day. A fun day.”

Elliott becomes one of six drivers to have won multiple races in 2018, and after tallying four top-fives, eight top-10s and 19 laps led in the first 19 races of the 2018 season, the driver has picked up six top-fives, nine top-10s, 246 laps led and two victories in his last 11 races.

He also joins Kevin Harvick as the only other driver to have six top-five finishes in the last 11 races, and his nine top-10 results in that same span are tied for second-most behind Harvick.

His 8.36 average finish in that time frame is also the second-best mark among all drivers.

After the big win Sunday at Dover, Elliott and the No. 9 team’s eyes are set on continuing that success going forward.

“To come back here and have the day we had, and to move on to the next round; I don’t have to worry about Talladega next week,” the driver said. “Man, it’s a great day.”